PIND Foundation recently launched its Cocoa Seedling Training Program, to enhance the capacity of cocoa farmers across the Niger Delta region. This initiative focused on improving access to high-quality cocoa seedlings, which are essential for fostering sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing productivity and improved livelihoods.
The training event took place in Akure, Ondo State, from October 23 to October 25, 2024, and brought together 20 new nursery operators, equipping them with the skills needed to multiply high-quality cocoa seeds. Participants engaged in hands-on training in seed production and nursery management, preparing them d to meet the growing demand for superior seedlings among smallholder farmers.
Since 2019, PIND has partnered with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) to establish commercial relationships between seed entrepreneurs and CRIN, facilitating improved production, distribution, and marketing of cocoa seedlings. In 2022, PIND collaborated with CRIN to certify and license 17 nursery operators at CRIN’s headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo state. This process involved training in nursery operations, mentorship, support to establish nurseries, and monitoring and certification of entrepreneurial nursery operators. This collaboration addresses the pressing need for quality planting materials in the Niger Delta, empowering farmers to enhance their cocoa yields.
The Cocoa Seedling Training Program is expected to deliver significant outcomes, including an increased availability of high-quality cocoa seeds, improved yields and incomes for farmers, and the establishment of a sustainable seed system that can serve as a model for other agricultural sectors.
PIND remains committed to supporting local farmers by providing essential resources and knowledge. With over 200,000 high-quality seedlings already produced and supplied to more than 2,000 farmers, the Cocoa Seedling Training Program is set to make a considerable impact on the agricultural landscape of the Niger Delta.
